pedal driven paddle wheel boat?

How about using smaller bike wheels, say some BMX sized ones, complete with tyres, as the sides of the paddle wheel. Then make some wooden discs that cover the spokes on the inboard side of each wheel and use them to attach the paddle blades, making the blades reach as far as the wheel rims. That way you can use the sprocket on one of the wheels to connect a lengthened bike chain up to your pedals in the boat, and if you leave the free-wheel hub alone, you'll be able to drag the boat to the water / across the shallows by picking up the bow. It should only increase the draft by about 1.5".

 

Lots of ideas that can be modified for your use at kinetic sculpture race, like:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornie/4661191996/in/set-72157624183499448/

Porta

 

Real good example

Oh heeey - just remembered this one. Got mentioned at

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/i-want-one-these-23641.html

found at

http://www.autocanoe.com

 

something different, years ago i looked exstensively into a jet propelled pedal powered craft- the steereing was also managed by the jets- so it left hands free. recently also saw a kayak withpedal powered fish fins- very quiet and efficient- pm me if you would like further info

 

I have also looked at the jet ideal but you loose so much power i think it is 30% loss when using a jet.And that is a factory set up you would loose more with a home made set up where you could git the proper pitch of prop for the lower rpm.I have also thought about taking a horizontal shaft motor say for a tiller or some thing like that and running a jet drive system out of a jet ski you would have to play with pulleys to git proper rpm but you put that in a sport canoe and you could fly!

 

So i guess out side of the bike style paddle wheel boat above no company or person has ever made a solo paddle wheel boat?

 

The #1 selling pedal boat is a paddle wheel which you can find at most water recreation, sells more than Hobie! Also thousands have been built by individuals for racing in the human powered boat competition.

Porta

 

Sorry when i said solo i mean a one man craft using a paddle wheel for power.I know paddling with a kayak paddle is the common but just thought some one would have done it.The park style paddle wheel boats are big heavy and load and i have no need for the extra 3 seats they have.